McLaren F1 Team Drops Young Driver in...

McLaren F1 Team Drops Young Driver in…read

In a surprising turn of events, McLaren’s Formula 1 team has removed one of their young drivers from the official team website, signaling an apparent end to their partnership. This decision comes after a successful 2024 season in which McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998. With both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continuing with the team in 2025, McLaren remains focused on its fight for the Drivers’ Championship against Red Bull and Ferrari.

During the 2024 season, Norris was McLaren’s strongest contender in the title battle, going head-to-head with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. However, Piastri also had a notable season, securing two race victories and proving to be a formidable competitor. Despite Norris’ experience in fighting for the championship, McLaren has reaffirmed that they will not implement team orders in 2025. This strategy suggests that both Norris and Piastri will be given equal opportunities to compete for the title, as McLaren anticipates fierce competition from both Red Bull and Ferrari.

Beyond their Formula 1 lineup, McLaren continues to invest in its young driver program, which boasts talents from various racing series. Among the notable names in their development program are IndyCar star Pato O’Ward, as well as rising stars like Ugo Ugochukwu, Alex Dunne, and Ella Lloyd. Lloyd is set to compete in the 2025 F1 Academy season under McLaren’s banner, following the departure of former McLaren junior driver Bianca Bustamante.

Bustamante, who had been a part of McLaren’s development program, is no longer listed as a young driver on the team’s official website. Reports from Feeder Series confirm that she is no longer affiliated with McLaren, further reinforcing speculation that the team has parted ways with her. The 20-year-old had previously competed in the F1 Academy for two seasons and will now make the switch to GB3 with Elite Motorsport in 2025. She will be joined in the series by 2024 F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling.

Bustamante finished seventh in the 2024 F1 Academy standings, securing just one podium finish throughout the season. Despite a challenging year on the track, she remains a popular figure in motorsport, amassing a large following on social media. With 1.6 million Instagram followers, Bustamante has built a strong fanbase, which could be a valuable asset as she transitions to the next stage of her racing career.

While McLaren has not officially commented on Bustamante’s departure, her removal from their driver lineup indicates a definitive end to their association. The decision reflects the team’s focus on developing other talents within its program, including Lloyd, who will now represent McLaren in the F1 Academy.

As McLaren looks ahead to 2025, the team remains committed to its competitive ambitions in Formula 1 while continuing to nurture emerging talent through its junior program. With Norris and Piastri leading their F1 campaign, and promising drivers like Lloyd stepping up, McLaren’s future remains bright despite this unexpected change in their young driver ranks.